Kevin Frisch: The congressional summer reading list

Thursday

Jul 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2009 at 7:21 PM

Health care — and the reform thereof — is a serious and pressing issue, the resolution of which will have vast consequences personally and financially not only for every man, woman and child in the nation, but for the nation as a whole. It is, therefore, of little interest to us. But the idea of a reading list for Congress? That’s a topic more in line with the intellect normally associated with this column. As proof, here is our humble suggestion for a congressional reading list.

Kevin Frisch

Reading is Fundamental for Legislators
“Students have summer reading lists, why not Congress?”
— Press release received July 28 from the Let Freedom Ring public policy organization.

Sometimes, a simple press release can pose a pretty good question. Of course, they seldom to go on to provide the answer. The press release referenced above did not explore why Congress doesn’t have a reading list; it instead had something to do with encouraging members of Congress to sign a Responsible Healthcare Pledge.

Health care — and the reform thereof — is a serious and pressing issue, the resolution of which will have vast consequences personally and financially not only for every man, woman and child in the nation, but for the nation as a whole. It is, therefore, of little interest to us.

But the idea of a reading list for Congress? That’s a topic more in line with the intellect normally associated with this column. As proof, here is our humble suggestion for a congressional reading list:

“Common Sense” (Thomas Paine) — The book that started it all. “It all” being this whole experiment called America. Just make sure it’s this 1776 publication and not the 2009 version by a politically predictable, compensated spokesman.

“Politics for Dummies” — It couldn’t hurt.

“A Vindication of the Rights of Women” — A seminal work of feminist philosophy, if you’ll pardon the gender-inaccurate description. Author Mary Wollstonecraft had the radical idea that women should be equals to their husbands, rather than just helpmates. Her daughter, Mary Shelley, developed her own ideas about men, which she explored in her famous book, “Frankenstein.”

“The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money” (John Maynard Keynes) and “A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960” (Milton Friedman and Anna J. Schwartz) — A pair of hugely influential theses that provide the basis of a sound understanding of global economic principles. The economic theories may prove too challenging for some elected officials, however, who will then turn to ...

“Economics for Dummies.”

“The Grapes of Wrath” (John Steinbeck) and “Nickel and Dimed” (Barbara Ehrenreich) — Because it wouldn’t hurt senators (whose median personal worth is estimated at $1.7 million) and members of the House of Representatives (median worth, about $675,000) to be reminded what it’s like to be poor. Really poor.

“A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity” (Bill O’Reilly) (DEMOCRATS ONLY) and “Dude, Where’s My Country?” (Michael Moore) (REPUBLICANS ONLY) — Because both sides subsist primarily on their own b.s. and should digest a little of the other side’s b.s. once in a while.

“Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change” (Elizabeth Kolbert) — Because the debate about how the world’s climate is being altered by carbon dioxide shouldn’t be solely political.

“Invisible Man” (Ralph Ellison) — Because it wouldn’t hurt senators (the 99 out of 100 who are not black) and members of the House of Representatives (the 406 out of 435 who are not black) to be reminded what it’s like to be disenfranchised due to your race.

Anything by Emily Dickinson or William Butler Yeats — Because who doesn’t need a little poetry in his life?

“Ulysses” (James Joyce) — Because we know many lawmakers would take a lot longer than the summer to finish it and might not make it back.

“The Jungle” (Upton Sinclair) — Because lawmakers who carp about government regulation should be reminded what things were like before the government started regulating.